COLUMBIA — The city’s Gans Creek Recreation Area trail project has hit a wave of public resistance as environmental activists continue urging city officials to put construction plans on hold.

Following Monday night’s Columbia City Council meeting, a group of concerned residents and local conservation advocates gathered to voice their opposition to the ongoing development of new hiking and biking trails within the park, citing concerns over environmental degradation and lack of community input.

Local activist Christine Doerr passionately addressed the issue, expressing frustration about how the project has unfolded.

"This is not what it was supposed to be. Who's in charge of this project? It's got to stop now," Doerr said.

The Gans Creek project, which includes the construction of two new trails, was greenlit by the City Council back in January. Planning and coordination between Columbia Parks and Recreation and city officials has been underway since July 2023, and staff report that public feedback has been largely positive—at least from earlier outreach efforts.

Still, a vocal group of citizens has remained steadfast in their opposition, calling for a pause to reassess the potential ecological impact of the trail system, particularly on native wildlife and vegetation.

Local environmentalist Sutu Forte, another outspoken critic of the project, implored the council to reconsider moving forward without greater transparency and collaboration.

"I am asking City Council to halt this construction of the green trail until we can have a serious conversation on the site with the trail builders," Forte said.

In response to public concerns, Columbia Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington addressed the city’s long-term environmental goals tied to the project. He noted that while construction may be completed within a matter of months, the surrounding land’s ecological recovery will take far longer.

"The trail will be done in about four to five months whereas that ecological restoration of that property will take years," Huffington said. "It's something we're committed to through tree planting, through prairie restoration, and through a removal of invasive species."

Despite the assurances, many activists argue that the damage to Gans Creek’s delicate ecosystem has already begun. They’re asking the city to engage more deeply with environmental experts and concerned residents before irreversible changes are made.

As Columbia continues to grow and balance development with conservation, the debate over Gans Creek serves as a stark reminder of the tensions between recreation, infrastructure, and the preservation of natural spaces.

Originally reported by Brayden Day in KOMU 8 Cares.